Sticky sweet and garlicky, this glazed salmon recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, and in one pan. Hands down, the most addicting salmon ever!
This ultra easy salmon recipe is a winner when it comes to weeknight dinners!ย We love easy main dishes, like my Honey Lime Shrimp, and Blackened Tilapia Bowls.ย This is one of myย Dinnerย recipes youโll definitely want in your recipe rotation!
HONEY GARLIC SALMON RECIPE
Have you ever made a recipe that truly surprised you?ย Normally I’m not a huge salmon lover, but after one bite of this ultra tender salmon, I was absolutely in love.ย I literally did a little dance in the kitchen because I finally found a way that I can enjoy salmon!
We all know how nutritious salmon is… loaded with omega 3’s, high in protein and tons of vitamins, so I’m glad I can enjoy those benefits.ย And now, so can you!
You won’t believe how such a simple recipe can pack SO much flavor.ย Each bite is full of sweet and savory flavors and delicate textures.
HOW TO MAKE GLAZED SALMON
I know some people, myself included, worry about pan-searing a salmon filet, going to flip it over, and…. well now your beautiful filet is mangled and in several pieces.
For that reason, I kept this recipe simple… so simple in fact, that there is NO pan-searing.ย No flipping required.
- Pat salmon filets dry and season with spices on all sides.
- Heat butter and oil, then add garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice.
- When hot, add salmon filets (skin side down if your filets have skin), and cook 3 minutes.
- While salmon cooks, use a spoon to baste the filets.
- Broil for 5-6 minutes, until salmon is sticky sweet, slightly charred, and cooked to desired doneness.
COOKING TIPS FOR SALMON RECIPES
- Buy good salmon – I prefer to buy fresh salmon from the grocery store, instead of frozen filets in bags, since those tend to be very thin.ย Cooking Light has a great article on how to pick the best salmon at the grocery store.
- Use it quickly – Salmon can go “off” or bad pretty quickly, so I prefer to buy my salmon no more than 1 day ahead of time.
- To skin or not to skin – if you decide to pan-sear your salmon, leave the skin on (and sear skin side first).ย The skin provides a layer of protection against the hot pan, and it’s a LOT easier to slide a spatula underneath crispy skin than underneath tender flesh.ย Plus, you’ll get crispy skin!ย To cook this recipe as written, it really doesn’t matter if your filets have skin or not.
- Don’t overcook – Salmon is prone to overcooking, and the line between not done enough and dry and overdone is pretty fine.ย The USDA recommends salmon be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F degrees.ย ย However, different peopleย prefer their salmon to be more rare or more well-done, like a steak.ย To be on the safe-side, I stick to the USDA’s recommendation.
VARIATIONS OF THIS RECIPE
- Pan-Sear – if you’d prefer, season salmon as directed, then pan sear in the pan.ย Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate.ย Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through.ย Add salmon back to pan and spoon sauce over the salmon.
- Bold Lemonย – feel free to add lemon zest to the sauce, or even add a few slices of lemon to the pan while you cook and broil the salmon for a more bold lemon flavor.
- Try Lime – switch the lemon juice for lime juice for a slightly different flavor.
- Green Onions – I love to top these salmon filets with some sliced green onions for a different flavor twist.
MAKING HONEY GARLIC SALMON AHEAD OF TIME
I think this recipe tastes best when made right before eating, but you can whisk together the sauce ahead of time if you’d like.
However, this salmon recipe also tastes amazing cold, on top of a salad.ย So if that’s your intention, then yes, make it a few hours to a day ahead of time ๐
STORAGE
Any leftover salmon should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 3 days.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE
- 12โณ wide skilletย โ I love this pan, and love that it’s oven and broiler safe (a must for one pan recipes).
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERSโ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DONโT FORGET, IF YOUโVE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
SALMON
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon filets
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/4 tsp blackening seasoning (optional)
SAUCE
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 Tbsp water
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sriracha sauce
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat salmon dry, then season with salt, pepper, paprika and blackening seasoning (if using). Set aside.
- IMPORTANT: Adjust oven rack to middle position, then preheat broiler. If you broil this with the rack up high the sauce will burn.
- Add butter and oil to a large, oven-safe skillet over MED-HIGH heat. Once butter is melted, add garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice and cook 30 seconds or so, until sauce is heated through.
- Add salmon, skin side down (if using salmon with skin), and cook 3 minutes. While salmon cooks, baste frequently with sauce from the pan by spooning it over the top of the salmon.
- Broil salmon for 5-6 minutes, basting with sauce once during the broil, until salmon is caramelized and cooked to desired doneness.
- Garnish with minced parsley if desired.
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Chef Tips
- If you'd prefer, season salmon as directed, then pan sear in the pan.ย Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate.ย Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through.ย Add salmon back to pan and spoon sauce over the salmon.
- A couple of readers have reported having a watery sauce, which I've never personally encountered during all the testing for this recipe. If you feel the sauce is a bit watery, you could reduce the amount of water used, or simmer the sauce a bit before adding the salmon.
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Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
May Chad says
Delicious and easy to make
Belinda says
I had to make it twice to make sure it wasnโt a fluke that is was so delicious! Iโm happy to report that it wasnโt, this is hands-down the best salmon Iโve ever made, the whole family loves it!
Billie says
Wonderful!!! Best salmon I’ve ever had! I followed recipe to the tee, and it turned out perfectly. Thank you! I am going to look for other recipes on your website.
Katie says
My husband and I make this ALL THE TIME. So easy and so delicious. Have also tried with mahi and red snapper filets with the same success.
Breanna says
This recipe was amazing! My boyfriend loved it!! I did everything exactly the way it was written except for adding water to the sauceโฆ.it was perfect!
Kelly says
Honey Glazed Salmon was absolutely delicious! Quick and easy! My husband truly enjoyed it! I read other reviews about the water, so I opted not to put any water in mine. Will definitely make this again
Kelly says
Honey Glazed Salmon was absolutely delicious! Quick and easy! My husband truly enjoyed it! I read other reviews about the water, so I opted not to put any water in mine. Loved it!!
Ted says
This recipe has become a staple in my household
Denise says
This was so delicious! It’s a winner and I am not a fan of salmon usually. Will definitely make this again.
Michele B says
This is our go-to salmon recipe. Thank you so much for sharing. My husband was never a fan of salmon until he tried this. Now itโs on our regular rotation.
Note: we use Old Bay instead of blackening seasoning. Otherwise follow your recipe exactly.
Amanda says
Do you broil on high or low?
The Chunky Chef says
You can use either, since all broilers cook a bit differently, but I do mine on high.
Carl says
OMG so freaking good!!!! I just made this!! Adding this to recipe from now on when making seafood. Thanks so much for this!!
Anslisa says
Made this last night for my family and I and it turned out great! My children loved it! I only used 1tbs off butter and subbed the oil and butter with coconut oil instead 2t s and didn’t have sirracha so I used tobacco 1 tsp and cooked how the instructions were and it was delicious!
David Frederick says
Your sauce recipe was great! I pan seared the salmon then finished under the broiler. I cooked the sauce separately until nice and thick and topped the salmon with it while serving. Also only cooked the salmon to 120 degrees. My kids and wife loved it. This will be cooked again and again in my house. Thank you!
C. Pham says
I made this dish and my wife liked it a lot.
Nadia says
It is one of our favorite salmon recipes paired with a strawberry balsamic glaze salad.
Curtis says
A great recipe. I found the sauce thin as others mentioned. I think only 1 tablespoon of water is necessary if at all.
Sara says
I make this all the time and my family loves it!! I always have to make extra sauce
Bernadette says
This recipe was excellent, everyone loved it, I did skip adding water.
Alexis says
I make different salmon recipes at least once a week and this was hand’s down the absolute BEST !!!! As a result, I am a new subscriber and look forward to more outstanding recipes. Try it! It is FABULOUS!
My family adored it. Thank you Amanda!
Penny Easterling Dawson says
Trying to get your ebook but doesnโt download. Thanks in advance for your help.
The Chunky Chef says
The ebooks I have for sale? Or the free one that comes with signing up for the newsletter?